Doorcheck, floor type



Septl, 1931. L. c. NORTON 1,821,570

DOORCHECK, FLOOR TYPE Fied Nov. 21. l''r 4 'sheets-sheet 1 21. 1927 4 sheets-sheet 2 L. C. NORTON DOORGHECK, FLOOR TYPE Filed Nov.

Sept. l, 1931.

Sept. l, 1931. c. NORTON 1,321,570

DooRCl-mcx, FLOOR TYPE Filed Nov. 21. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. l, 1931. c. NORTON 1,821,570

DOORCHECK, FLOOR TYPE Filed Nov. 21. 1927 4 sheets-sheet 4 170 mwa 75 174 1176 17d w J t lljatentecl Sept. l, lg3d NTE S'ES PATENT @FFICE LEJIS C. NORTON, GF ALTADENA, CLEIFORNA, ASSIGNOR TO NORTON-LASIER CO., O CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPOBATON OF ILLINOIS DOORCHECK, FLOOR TYPE Application filed November 21, 1927. Serial No. 234,783.

This invention relates to door cheeks and particularly the type of door Check; which :we placed iii he liooibeneath the door or in the sa .i al we th!i rlooi' out ot f-iig'lit, as fi' ting'uished troni the type inonnted in View on the door oi' the dmoz' sill.

The invention contemplates both single actin@ and doubie acting door checks, the singfle acting; checks beingl adapted tor operation on doors which swing; in only one directfoi and close H est the door janib, whereas the doni lo act. i513 cheeks are constructed for use with doors sii'inging in both directions 'from the i sed position.

the e aftiiif; doni cheeks v: ell in thi.; invention are so consti' 'liv :1 in .rraneinent et the par iitiiisj the meel(`7 the chock adapted Yfor insifiiiaiieii on either right oi' left-hand doors.

Thin invention iuitlei' contemplati@ the tvb-3 oi' door theel( which operates to lose iliix iloo' liv spi' n iction and to check the ne; i hy n eine: oi' a fluid i mocking .c l e. all ot e parte being o connecte: to-

r ig'ethrr and with the door :is to ,Qjive die del doing and ch :king t. Accoidinglyv, one of the older-ts ot this invention if to provide an iiiipi'oveal and praciif'al doer cheek which is highly eliicient in ipei'atioii, rompeiilively simple in structure, 'ii'aetical and heap to iii:iiii""`zii:tni'e, easy to i -l and one iiiii'h imparts to the door an iii the closing` and vliet-l'- sire iiiiirovi il inoveiiie: i inn' operation,

i'iiothoi" ohio-ci" o th s invention is to piovide a door Cheryl; ivliic i nniy be applied to a door o'feiihsir the oi ouhle actingi` type a ltti' 'the door has heen mounted Ain its: hinges and one in which part o; the (ronneeting nierhani in between the davor check and the floor i'- mounted :in the door and part is nioiinie on the door bhe-ffii, ivliii'h parte maj.' h@ ready, brought together and canneifted to (wiiiiiiieto the (-oiiiioctiiig ineelianisni between the two.

Another object ot this invention i's to pi'oa door checlo the spring resistance ot" which is fil'iiztiai' at the lritili, and which will oliei less resiwtaiife to thix opening' ot' the door as the door opens.

Another obiect et this invention is to provide in the single acting type a. check which is readily convertible, b v mere reversibility of parte, to adapt the coeck Yfor installation on either a right or lett-hand door.

Another object of this invention is to provide a door check which employs a main operating' spindle which is oli' center line of the hinges of the door When installed, and to provide connecting means therefor, Which Yloeafted iloi` the greatest part beneath the oi' in all positions ot operation so that the c(inneciingv means is substantially concealed and ont of the Way at all times.

,/tnothei object of this invention is to provide a door check iii which the spring,r tension may he more readily adjusted than in deviner: heretofore devised.

Another object ot' this invention is to provide a hold-open feature whereby the check operates 'to maintain the door in a predeteriniiicd open position, and one where the holdopen operation can be eliminated by merely adiusting the pai-ts.

A further object of this invention is to irovide a holdopen feature which is Capable of holding the door open in any one of a plurality of selected open positions.

it is a further object of this invention to provide a bacl'; cheek Jfeature whereby the door check offers resistance to a further openingl movement after the door has been opened :i iii'edeteiniined amount.

further ohjee ot' this invention is to provide a door check, the spring force for elosing the door oi' which is adjustable Without angina4 the tension of the spring directly, but hy mei-ely shiffi t A further object of this invention is to provide a door check incorporating in its structure anti-friction bearings, which greatly reduce the internal friction of the device and makes for a smoother and easier operation.

A further object of this device is to provide both single and double acting checks in which some of the parts of one type are interchangeable with the corresponding parts of the other type, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

A further object of this invention is to provide a check, the fluid checking device of which is readily adjusted and is capable ol more flexible adjustment and operation than in devices heretofore known.

A further object of my invention is to provide a check of the double acting type by which the door is readily centered by adjusting the check so as to bring the door to the center line of the door sill when in closed position.

These and other objects are accomplished by means of the arrangement disclosed in the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the single acting type of check, constructed in accordance with this invention, mounted on a left-hand door.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the check proper, with the top removed disclosing the internal construction.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevational view of the single acting check shown in Figure 2 and taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view in section taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional plan view of the fluid checking device of the single acting t e.

yFigure 6 is a perspective view of the double acting check in its installed position.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the double acting check with the top removed disclosing the internal construction.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional elevation taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional elevation taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 7 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the holding device employed in the double acting check.

Figures 11 and 12 are respectively the upper and lower hinge constructions for the double acting door, both views being cross sectional side elevations.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the twopart connecting link between the check and door; and

Figure 14 is an enlarged cross sectional view through the slide guide and connecting arm for connecting the door and door check.

The various novel features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and will be particulary pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, and Figures 13 and 14, the single acting check will now be described.

It will be noted as shown in Figure 1 that the preferred installation of the door check 20 is below the door at substantially the center line of the door sill. rI`he door 21 of the customary type, mounted on the usual hinges 22 has provided in the bottom edge thereof a slide guide 23 having inwardly bent flanges 24 at its bottom to provide a track 25 therein for accommodating the slide block 26.

By referring to Figures 13 and 14 it will be noted that the block is perforated as at 27 to accommodate the pin 28, fianged at its top 29 to prevent removal thereof, the pin 28 being made as an integral, or otherwise rigidly attached, part of the female portion 30 of the connecting arm. The side of the female member 30 is provided with a screw opening to accommodate the set screw The main portion of the connecting arm 88 is provided with an apertured head 84 adapted to be secured with a non-turning tit to the main operating spindle 35 of the door check and secured by means of the screw 36. The outer end of the connecting arm 33 has a reduced end 37 constituting the male member of the connection which is received in the female member and secured therein as hy means of the set screw 32, as shown in Figure 14.

Attention at this point is directed to the fact that the parts 30 and 33 constituting the connecting arm are comparatively flat and in many installations where the bottom of the door is slightly spaced above the floor or door sill, the arm may be conveniently placed therebetween without removing a portion of the door to accommodate the arm. but in i11- stallations where the door is too close to the floor or door sill, the door will be cut away to form a slight clearance at 38, shown in Figure 1. The slide block 26 may be of the friction type, but on very heavy doors where the friction is excessive the side edges of the block may be recessed with ball bearings placed therein so that an anti-friction slide connection is provided. The balls may contact in such a case the plane vertical sides of the guide or run in grooves provided therein as desired. In other installations a single roller mounted on the pin 28 maybe provided with suflicient clearance between the opposite sides of the guide to permit rolling thereof without binding.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 5, inclusive, it will be noted that the single acting check embodies a main casing 39 provided with a top plate suitably secured thereto, which top is provided with an opening 4l at one end and a circular upstanding flange 42 formed from the top around the periphery of the opemng.

As shown in Figure 8, when the check is to be mounted in a concrete floor an additional metallic casing 48 is provided adapted to receive the main casing 39, this casing being mounted in the concrete floor at the time the concrete is poured. in a manner to constitute a receptacle in which the door check is placed. Around the upper edge of the casing 43, packing material 44 is provided whereby a water-tight seal is ellected to prevent moisture and dirt from entering the interior of the cheek. ,ln all installations it is preierable to provide a finished cover plate 45 to improve the appearance thereof. The operating arm 33 is provided on its under surface with an annular groove in which is placed suitable packing 47 in a manner to cooperate with the upstanding flange on the cover to complete the seal for the checking device, this construction preventing water, dirt and other detrimental material from entering the interior of the casing through the spindle opening.

Positioned at one end and longitiulinally disposed in the casing is the fluid checking device designated generally as 48, the particular construction of which will be hereinafter described. The fluid checking device is attached to the bottom of the casing by means of screws 49, which penetrate and bind the flange 50 made integral with the fluid checking device with the bottom wall of the casing. The lluid checking device is positioned as shown in Figure 2, relative to the casing, for door checks of one hand, but this invention contemplates bodily reversing the door checking device in the casing for doors of the opposite hand, it merely being necessary in such a case to reverse the position of the fluid checking device and fasten the screws 49 in holes which will be provided at the opposite side of the center line of the casing in corresponding positions. The fluid checking device constitutes a complete unit which may be assembled outside the casing and is the part of the device in which the main operating spindle 85 is mounted.

At the opposite end of the casing on the center line of the bottom wall an upstanding drilled boss 5l is provided, screw threaded in a manner to receive the threaded reduced end 52 of the spring spindle Positioned between the shoulder formed by the reduced end of the spindle and the boss is a supporting plate 54 on which the spring and hub element of the spring assembly rests. The plate 54 and the spindle 53 are rigid with the casing. The hub 55 is mounted on the spindle and is provided at its top with a flange 56 which overlies the spring coils and has provided on its upper surface a plurality of substantially triangular lugs 57. The bottom end of the hub is formed with the bearing surface 58 adapted to take the radial load by contact with the lower portion of the spindle. The upper portion of the hub is mounted to turn on the upper portion of the spindle by means of' an anti-friction bearing comprising the outer race ring 59, the inner race ring 60 and the ball bearing 61. The hub is provided along its length at one side with a groove 62 in which one end 63 0f the flat coil spring 64 is secured, the outer end of the coil spring being provided with a hooked portion which is anchored to one of the lugs 66 or 67 provided as in an integral or otherwise rigidly fixed part of the casing 39.

A flexible element such as the chain 68 is positioned about the upper portion of the hub 55, resting on the flange 56 and is fixed thereto by means ot the hook 69 at the end thereof, engaging selectively one of the plurality of lugs 57 provided on the upper surface of the hub. The opposite end of the chain 68 is provided with an elongated link 7() which is connected by means of the pin 7l to the hooked portion 72 of the hub 7 3 provided on the upper end of the main spindle and fixed to turn therewith.

Attention is directed to the fact that the hub 73 throughout a greater portion of its diameter, is of a reduced size as at 74, the reduction of which is considerably less than the length from the center of the spindle to the point of attachment of the pin 7l to the hook 72, and that due to this fact the Inovement of the spring through the chain by the turning of the main spindle 35 has a constantly varying effect which operates, for a constant angular velocity of the main spindle, to impart a negatively accelerated velocity to the spring hub.

Referring now particularly to Figures 3 to 5, inclusive, it will be noted that the fluid checking device comprises a Cylindrical casing 75 having an upstanding cylindrical eX- tension 76 on the top thereof, the ends of the cylinder 75 being closed by means of the screw threaded plugs 77. The spindle 35 is mounted to one side of the center line of the cylinder 75 by means of the reduced end 78 of the spindle being mounted in the bearing socket 79 in the casing. The lower portion of the spindle is constructed to form a gear 80, which meshes with the rack 8l provided on the double headed piston 82 positioned to slide in the cylinder 75. The upper cylindrical portion 76 is internally threaded at 83 for receiving the closing cap 84, which flanged in a manner to overlie the upper edg)l of the cylindrical portion 76. The closing cap is provided in its upper surface with a circular recess 85 in which is mounted the anti-friction bearing comprising the outer race ring 86, the inner race ring 87 and the lower bearing 88. This bearing is adapted to support the greater portion of the radial load imparted to the spindle 35 during operation. yl`he closing cap 84 is further recessed below the bearing' as at Si), the recess being partially threaded as at 90, in a inanner to accommodate the packing 91 and the gland ring 92 for forming a liquid seal for the spindle. Attention is directed to the fact that the closing cap extends downwardly, acting somewhat in the capacity of a journal bearing for the lower portion of the spindle and in this portion is provided an internal groove 93 which is connected with the interior of the cylinder 75 by means of the angular radial ports 94 in a manner to form an oil seal which, together with the packing, prevents the escape of the liuid from the checliing device. Each head of the piston is provided with an opening,l 95 the.: "iroughr` providing a scat at its inner end to coooeraie with the ball 9&3 held against displacenient bv the pin 97 to form a one-way check v; 1'1" The valve operates to pass fluid theretiir from the central portion ot the lie-ritiri vice to the end chamber. when a parti piston moves away from that end, 'the va ive passes no fluid. however, when that par! 1enlar piston is moving in the epponte cuection or apuoaching the cylinder end.

As shown in Figure 5. the cylindrical cr:- ing 75 has an enlarged rib 9S on one wie thereof. which is drilled to form the pawav 99 andthe two ports 100 and 10i :de iv threaded through the rib in a manner to :idjust the opening in the passage 90 are screws 102 and 103, the screw 102 being positioned to effect the size of the passage-way 0S) between the location of the ports 100 and 101 and the screw 103 being' positioned between the ports 101 and the open end 104 of the passage 05)* The heads ot the screws are constructed and located in a manner to render them easily ailjusted. t

"he passage and port construction abov, described is duplicated at both ends of the piston and the single descriition will sutiice for both. ()n the cylindrical surface of the piston heads a V-shaped groove 105 is provided, so located and constructed that the la 'ge end extends toward the end of the cylinder' and to cause the `groove during the movement of the pistou to pass over the ports 101 and 100. This is for the pin-pose of effecting a new and desirable checking* action which will be hereinafter described.

By referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that this invention embodies a hold-open feature which in the present form consists ot a segmental enlargement 106 on the huh 73, the segmental enlargement on its cylindrical surface being provided with a pluralityv of radial openings 107 which may be screw threaded as shown, or provided with smooth faces, but in either case constructed to selectively receive by a. snug fit the pin 108. The shank of the pin extends into the opening and is provided With a head 109 preferably with an oval or egg-shaped curved outer surface. Mounted on the side of the casing 3S) as by means of the screw 110 is an elongated leaf spring 111 having its unattached end 112 in sliding bearing relation against the side wall of the housing. Positioned substantially centrally of the leaf spring is the opening 113 having` its edge adjacent the tiuid checking device slightly beveled. The opening 113 cooperates with the head 109 of the pin carried by the hub to hold the parts against rotation and as a result holds the door in open position. 1t is to be understood that only one pin is employed for a particular adjustment, the pin being selectively located in any one of the plurality openings 107 desired so that the door will be held aiter it has been opened a predetermined eX- tent. The particular hole 107 which is sclectcd for locating the pin 108 is determined by the amount of opening at which it is desired to hold the door.

Attention is directed to the fact that the holding spring is relatively long and therefolk` quite flexible without necessitating grea bending thereof. This makes for long life and in practice this type of spring will serve the full life of the checking device.

l'lei'erring now to the double acting type ol'v check disclosed in l `igures 6 to 11, i11- clusive, it will be noted that the manner of connectingV the door check to the door is substantiaily similar to that disclosed in connection with the single acting check. Similar reference characters are employed in the drawings.

By referring to Figure t3 it will be noted that a separate hinge. is provided adapted to overlie al portion of the check, but in a manner to provide separate centers for the main spindle of the check andthe door hinge.

lt is to be understood in mounting either the single or double acting' type that great flexibility allowed through the type of connection provided in locating the door check, both in a direction from side to side of the door opening' and on either side of the center line of the door. The preferable way of mounting the double :zr-fing checl: is in the manner shown, the location of the check under the door hinge permitting the two centers to be located quite cl -f. in a manner to maintain the connecting arm in all positions out of the wav. The lov-:er hinge 1.1i with a double acti door preferably coinprises an L-.shaped pla-te adapted to be secured by means of screws 115 to the door sill and leaving the horizontal arm of the bracket unsecured and adapted to overhe a portion ot the door check. (ln the upper surface of the horizontal arm an annular upstanding tiange 11G is provided 1n which is mounted the combined radial and thrust anti-friction bearing 117. Positioned on the bottom face of the door is a plate 118, having downwardly projecting boss 119 secured by means of the screw 120 and in a manner to position the boss for support in the inner race ring of the antifriction bearing. The slide, slide block and connecting arm are constructed similar to the device described in connection with the single acting check. The main spindle of the double acting check is adapted to rotate from the neutral or closed door position in both directions and to function similarly in either direction of swing.

Referring now particularly to Figure 7, it will be noted that the internal construction of the double acting check embodies a fluid checking device 121, which will be hereinafter more fully described, and two separate spring devices 122 and 123, one only of which operates at a time, one acting to close the door after it has been opened in one direction from the neutral position and the other to close the door after it has been opened in the opposite direction from the neutral position. The spring mechanism 122 is mounted on a spindle 124 and the spring mechanism 123 is mounted on the spindle 125, both of the spindles being screwed to the bottom of the casing as shown in Figure 9 and in a manner similar to that described in connection with the single acting check. The structure of these spring units is exactly similar to those previously described and, therefore, it is considered that the same reference characters will serve and that a further description is unnecessary. It is only important to notice in this connection that the two springs are wound in opposite directions so that they will be adapted to close the door from the opposite open positions and that the ends of the springs are secured to lugs 126 integral with or otherwise rigidly secured to the casing. The casing in the double acting check is designated by the numeral 127. The .double check also embodies flexible attaching elements such as the chains 128 and 129 for connecting the fluid checking device and the spring mechanism. The hooks 69 are of similar construction to those previously described. The opposite ends of the flexible elements are slightly modified in the double acting check in that the elongated links 130 are provided which carry pins 131 at their ends adapted to releasably engage the hooks 132 disposed in substantially opposite relationship on the hub 133. The pins 131 are formed with an enlarged head 134, as shown in Figure 9. which is located below the links, and are held in position with the pins by means of shoulders provided by the heads and the flattened end of the pin at the top. The heads 134 are provided on one face with a conical openingr 135 so constructed and positioned as to cooperate with the conical end of the screws 136 which are mounted by a screw threaded engagement through the lugs 137 made integral or otherwise rigidly attached to the upper surfaces of the fluid check casing. It is understood that the hub 133 is rigidly fixed to turn with the main fluid check spindle 138 and that the arms 132 will swing in an arc around the axis of the spindle. The links 130 are so designed that the hooked portions 132 may swing away from the pins 131 and pass out between the links in a manner t-o permit the ends of the flexible chain to remain in position anchored on the end of the screw bolt 136.

1n this connection it will be understood that as the door swings in one direction from the neutral position that one of the arms 132 will approach its spring device, whereas the opposite arm will swing away from the other spring device and that in this construction the arm swinging away will wind the spring to which it is connected and the opposite arm will swing free of the pin 131, permitting the end link and chain to remain in position while the arm passes out between the links. On swinging back to neutral position the free arm again comes into position where its hook engages the pin and a continued movement in that direction will cause the arm to remove the link from its seat on the screw 136 and to carry it forward in a manner to Wind the spring to which it is connected. This construction permits the springs to be operated one at a time, leaving the spring which is not employed to remain immobile during the operation of the other spring.

It will be readily appreciated that by adj usting the opposite screws 136 that the neutral position of the door will be determined and that there is provided by this construction a means for readily adjusting the door to the center line of the door sill. The tension of the individual springs can be adjusted by winding the hubs and securing the hooks 69 to the lugs as desired.

The fluid checking device is provided with flanges 139 at opposite sides of its base, through which the screws 140 are positioned for engagement with screw openings in the bottom wall of the casing for securing the fluid checking device in position. The fluid checking device comprises a main cylinder 141 formed by the cylindrical wall 142 having an upstanding cylinder sleeve 143 for accommodating the anti-friction bearing 144. The main spindle 138 is positioned through the anti-friction bearing in a. Inanner for radial support and having its lower end bearing in a socket not shown in the drawings provided in the lower end of the cylindrical casing in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 4 of the single acting check. The upper end of the cylinder iS closed by means of a cap 145 screw threaded in the cylinder sleeve 143, which cap is recessed at 146 to receive the anti-friction 'portion of the main spindle 188.

4ed in a manner similar to the cheek ,the cylinder. n 'sohd, but is provided with a V-shaped `groove 'are closed bv means ot' the end caps 149 and 150. Positioned in the cylinder is a double headed piston 151 provided with a double rack 152 adapted to cooperate with the mutilated gear 153 formed on the lower The gear and rack are so constructed that for movcnient of the spindle in either direction from the neutral position the piston will he moved in the same direction towards the opposite end of the cylinder. the cylinder being; initially installed relative to the gear so that in' the neutral position the piston is located at its extreme position at one (ind of the cylinder. This end of the cylinder constitutes the checkingr end and an enlarged rib 154 provided with the inid passage 155 formed therein communi(atingF with the end of the cylinder by means of the two ports 156 and 157. Adjustment screws 158 and are provided in the passage 155 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the single actinar check. The head of the piston t the checking end of the cylinder is provided with a` ball check valve 1GO constructvalve described in the single acting: checl so that this piston head will pass fluid when moving' in a direction away from the checking end of rllhe opposite piston head is 161, with the large end of the groove extendingr toward the end of the cylinder. he

V-shaped groove is adapted to coonerate vith the groove 162 provided in the interior 'wall surface of the cylinder. the V-shaped groove in the piston head and the grroove 182 1n the cylinder wall forming me: ns l'or establishing a back check feature for the door vin either direction of movement from the center line, the groove 1n the cyiinde wail servingy to pass fluid when the piston is movlng away from the checking end of the cylinder as when the door is opened. the groove `terminating` at a point sliffhtly in advance ot' 'that where the cooperating piston head is located when it is desired to check the openingr of the door. the final back checking action being produced gradually by means of the V groove in the piston head passing over die 'end of the groove 162 in a manner to diminish the fluid passage and ultiiilately to prevent the passage of fluid entirely. After the V groove has completely passed trie groove 162 the fluid trapped between the 'solid piston head and the end of the cylinder checks the door against further opening; movement. Attention is directed to the iact that the piston head at the checking; end of the cylinder is also provided with a V groove 163 constructed similar to and adapted to function in the same manner as the groove 105 in the single acting r check.

The means for holding the door in open position in the double acting device comprises a spring pressed pluiieer 161. as shown in Figure 10, mounted at the center ot the linid checking cylinder, as shown in Figure 7. The plunger is adapted to s ide in the luyjs 165 and 166 made integral with or otherwise rigl'idhv secured to the fluid checkinni device and is spring; presf'ed upwardly by means oi the spring); 167. r i'lane'e 168 is provided at the hase of the head of the. plunger to prevent the plunger being); displaced upwardly. The upper surface of the plunger head is mounted and is adapted to cooperate with the arms 132 which swing' in a horizontal plane in a manner lo engage. behind the lug. the leading contacting; edge being` hevelwl as at 1323 to aid in camini. 5r the plonger downwardly to permit the arms to rl`he single plunger serves tor both the arms 13:2. which engage therelfchiml to lock the door in open position in either direction otl swing. depending upon which one oi' the. arms 132 is swung inwardly.

Inasinuch as the maximum opening' for ,single acting' doors is substentiallyv 9() dee'l'ees. the sine e holding` device will serve for both arms. vthe parts being)V constructed to bring; the arms in engagement with the plnnfrer when the desired amount of openina' has been etllected.

By referrinsr to Figure 11 it will be noted that the upper hing?y of the double acting' door comprises a 'frame or housing` member 169 having` cylindrical y.euidcs 17() and 170 thereon for receivingv the plunger pin 17.! and nut 1.74. respectivelv. The plunger pin is provided with a slot in its upper portion for pivotally receiving by means of the pivot 171. firm 172. which extends throusfh the slot 173 in the cylindrical gruide and is attaf-hed to the nut 174.-. The nut 174 is pro vided with a screw threaded opening for einfaginaf the screw 175. The screw has a swivel fit b v means of the counter sunk hole provided for the head and the over-lappingi plate 177. whereby it is free to rotate but is held against arial displacement. The head of the screw 178 is presented to the opening in the plate 177 so that the head of the screw is readily accessible when the door is swung away from its closed position. The upper edge of the door is provided with a plate 179 secured by means of screws 180. and is provided with a cylindrical openingi 181 adapted to receive and form a hinge with the depending end of the. plunger 171.

lt will he obvious from this construction that in order to remove the door it is merely necessarv to swing` the door an extent sulicient to expose the head of the screw and to turn the screw sniiiciently to raise the plunger pin out of the socket 181, whereby pass.

the upper end ot the door is removed from its pivot and the lower end of the door may be li ted ont of the anti-trietion bearing socket.

[n operation the singxie aetirgg' Cheek as initially7 ii.lia.leil is consti-urteil with the piston mounted in one end of the cylinder with the rark :1r-1l `@rear in mesh when the operating arm in neutral position as when the door is closed against the doer jamh. "The parte are so arranged tor a door ot particular hand that when the door is opened the arm will be moved in a manner to naove the pision to the opposite end ot 'the rylin'. this end l'ieine; the non-elieckinggf eed. The screws regulaiinn the valve ports at the non-cheekiigi end will preferably be serewed entirely ontwardlf,r in a manner to oi'ter no resistanee to Huid flow. except in the ense where a bark rheek is desired. When a bark Cheek is desired, it is preferable to leave t `gort open so that the first onenir gj movement ot the door is uninlnenewi and the lr t port is entirely shut ott. wher`l )fr the trainied iluid between the port 101 and the end ot the cylinder is caused to pass tlnfni i the groove 105 to a gradnaly inci nf eheeking; aetion and finally oi1i r eoinpiete resistanee to turther opening movenieui. lli'hen the door is permitted to swine; slr, he eloiing ot the door is caused by the tension ot the sprimr wh' :h was wonizil no during the onenmoveinent. and eanses the piston ot' the lisid eheekinn' deviee lo approach the cheekinn' end oie the evliniler oi; the rim. ind end assho Yn in lfiilnre in;r end t the che,

o1 the evlinder the two screw,"y ".re adiusteil to accomplish the ehei'ki speeds de;;i'ef.l. the screw 10? deter-mininn` initial speed and the screw 102 deterinin"imn the lati-h speed. rl`he lever arrangement between the parts is such that the piston travell up to and passes over trie port 101 during); the greater part ot its win-- and the Yfurther movement ot the pintor is that which is etteeted when the door travels tbe last, shorty ly diminished befl'ore the inal lati-"ri speed port 101 brought into play. Yln the event :i very slow closing' movement at the lateh is desired, port 101 can be sluit olil entirely by means ot screwing the www all the way down. in which rese the door will riose with rapid movement by the escape ot tinid through the port 101 with a gradually diminishine` speed by means et the e .ejroove V105, with a linal witremely slow sealing' ae tion at the latrh bv means ol' leakinn' of lluid inistr the piston. at the nnarter ot an inch ot movement. ln thisy cofsneetion it will be noted that the if groove V105 makesy ifor gri-ter flexibility in adjusting the movement et the door.

When it is desired to tension the spring it merely necessary to insert a tool such as a spanner wrei'ieh between the lugs 57 and turn the spring to the desired tension and t0 locate the hook link 09 behind the proper lug. The hold-Open feature is accomplished by means ot the pin 109 engaging in the opening' 113 in the spring 111, the pin beingr located in the opening 107, which is opposite the opening 113. when the door is opened th" desired eftent. \Vhen it is desired to close tlze door it is merely necessary to force the door in a closingr direction suliciently to release the head ot the pin from the spring whereby the door check is then free to funet'on in the Closingr movement as described.

Yflien it is desired to adjust the Check t0 a door of the opposite hand, it is merely necessa ry to invert the spring.r on the hub and spindie and leek the end behind the opposite lug 0T on the casingg` wall. The flexible chain is then wrapped and secured in the opposite di- 1 etion and the hub 73 is inverted on the end ot the main operating spindle. The locking spring? 1 1l is then loeated on the opposite wall et the easing' tie screw 110 being secured in a hole previd d on the opposite side. The fluid elieekng deviee may be readjnsted in one ot tivo ways; tirst, by removing the sere-ws lil and reversing the fluid device bodivzithin the easing; or. second, by adjusting the position ot the piston relative to the main snindle in the neutral position at the opposite ends ot the cylinder, or, in other words, reversing the checking end without reversine' the cylinder bodily. This is possible in he single acting! cheek inasmuch as the two ends are similarly constructed and it will only be neeessary to readjust' the screws to provi-'le the checkin;r end at the opposite end o the eyliinler and to reverse the initial location ot the piston in the cylinder. ln either ease, however, it will be obvious that the parts o1 the checking; deviee are readily adaptable Yfor installation on doors ot either hand by merely reversing the parts and that by this arrangement a much more flexible des vice is realized. This makes for eheapness in nanni'actnre and simplicity in installation and iurtner permits the reversibilty ot parts in the various rheeking devices Without the necessity ot keeping` many types of parts in sterk.

The operation of the double cheek is similar in principle to the single cheek` with the exception that the piston is provided with a oonble raek and operates towards the same end of the cylinder in movement of the door on either side of the center line.

liefs-ring' te Figure T. a matter of illiistration, in the event the door is moved counter-cloekwisc. as seen in plan. the main siniindle will likewise be emmter-cloekwise to (anse the windinga of the spring 122 while permitting the spring 123 to remain in position shown. During this movement the mutilated gear engages the rack shown on the left-hand side which causes the piston to move away from the checking end, After the door has been moved a predetermined amount, the co-operation ot the grooves 161 and 1(52 effects a back-checking of the door at which point the arm 132 is latched behind the plunger' 164 for holding the door in its open position. To close the door it is merely necessary to force it in a closed direction i-iufiiciently to release the spring plunger whereby the wound spring 122 will close the door by moving the main spindle in a clockwise direction. This movement of the main spindle through the instrumentality of the gear and rack causes the piston to approach the checking end of the cylinder whereby the door is checked in the manner desired through the instrumentality of the fluid ports and the adjusting screws and the V groove 163 in the head of the piston. When the door is swung' in the clockwif-"e direction from the center line it is understood that the gear will cooperate with the right-hand rack in a manner to impart a similar movement to the piston, but that the spring 123 will be wound and the spring 122 permitted to remain in the position shown.

lhen it is desired to adjust the door to the center line of the sill this may be done by merely adjustingV the opposite screws 13G in a manner to cause the door to be accurately centered. It is to be understood in connection with the double acting check as shown in Figure 8, the casing 127 may be mounted in a second casing, as when installed in a concrete floor. and that all of the features for making the casing watertight, shown and decribed in connection with the single acting check` may likewise be employed.

In the event the hold-open feature is not desired, spring pressed plunger 164 in the double acting cheek may be removed, or the pins 108 in the single acting check may be removed.

Attention is also directed to the fact that the spring mechanism in both devices are interchangeable and are similar, irrespective of the way the spring is wound, it merely being necessary to invert the spring to change its direction of winding.

In mounting the door on hinges independently of the door check. great flexibility is realized in that the lever arrangement between the door and the checking device may be varied by merely shifting the location of the checking device relative to the center line. and also in practical application the device may be located in different positions from side to side of the door opening by means ot the slide connection between the checking device and the door, without impairing the operation thereof. This may be found highly desirable in installations where beams or other obstructions are located in the floor.

When the device is mounted in a wooden floor brackets may be provided on the side of the casing, which are secured to wooden beams beneath the floor level.

One highly desirable advantage is realized in mounting the door on separate hinges whereby in constructing new buildings the doors may be completely mounted before the door checks are installed, it merely being necessary in such cases to supply the hinges and the slides and slide guides which are mounted on the bottom edge of the door. At any later date when the building is nearing completion the door checks may be installed in their completely adjusted condition, the door checks having been completely adjusted at the factory, and they may be positioned relative to the door in any manner desirable. llt is only necessary to connect the devices to insert the male projection 37 ot the connecting` arm 33 in the female socket 30 carried by the slide and adjusting the set screw 32. The checking' device mounted in this manner is then ready for operation. In all installations` however, it is desirable to locate the center of the main spindle near the hinge center of the door so that the connecting arm between the check and the door will be maintained for a large part under the door in all positions and out of the main passage-way through the door and in alocation where it will be unnoticed.

claim:

1. A door check comprising spindle and a fluid checking device operatively connected to said spindle, a second spindle, and a spring niechanism connected to said second spindle to resist rota tion thereof in one direction, and means connected to said first spindle and selectively connected to said second spindle at one of a plurality of locations circumferentially disposed relative to said sccond spindle.

2. A door check comprising a pair of spindles each having' a hub, a fluid checkingr device operatively connected with the first of said spindles, and spring means operatively connected with the second ot said spindles, the hub of said second spindle having a plurality of lugs thereon; and a flexible element having one end connected to the hub of said first spindle and a means at its opposite end to selectively engage one of said lugs.

3. ln a door check, a casing, a fluid checking device having a spindle adapted to be connected to a door, in said casing, a second spindle, a spring on said second spindle, having one end anchored to said casing and its other end secured to said second spindle and means comprising a flexible element, and securing means for said flexible element on said second spindle, connecting said fluid checking spindle and second spindle, said means selectively connecting said parts in a manner to determine the tension of said spring.

4. A door check comprising a spindle, a fluid checking device operatively connected with said spindle, a second spindle, a spring mounted on said spindle having one end secured thereto and its opposite end stationarily fixed, said second spindle upon rotation determining the tension of said spring, a connecting means attached at one end to said first spindle and means for selectively securing the opposite end of said attaching means to one of a plurality of angularly spaced points of attachment on said second spindle whereby the tension of said spring may be varied by changing the location of attachment bctween said connecting means and said second spindle.

5. A door check comprising a spindle having a fluid checking device operatively connected thereto, a second spindle having spring means connected thereto to resist rotation thereof in one direction, said second spindle deriving its rotation from said first spindle in said direction, and means for connecting said spindles whereby a uniform anguiar velocity of said first spindle will impart a negatively accelerated angular velocity to said second spindle.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a do-or and a door check, a guide on said door, a slide means in said guide, an element pivoted to said slide means, an arm connected to said door check and means operable from the lateral direction for detachably connecting said element and arm.

7. A doo-r check comprising a spindle having a fluid checking device connected thereto, a spring means and a stop, a flexible element connected to said spring means and having its opposite end engaged on said stop, an arm on said spindle adapted to engage with said flexible element in one direction of rotation to tensio-n said spring and to disengage said llexible clement in the opposite direction of rotation, and leave said flexible element on said stop.

8. A door check comprising a spindle having a fluid checking device connected thereto, a spring means and an adjustable stop, a flexible element connected to said spring means and having its opposite end engaged on said stop, an arm on said spindle adapted to engage with said flexible element in one direction of rotation to tension said spring and to disengage said flexible element in the opposite direction of rotation, and leave said flexible element on said adjustable stop.

9. A door check having a spindle, a fluid checking device connected to influence the movement of said spindle, a pair of arms on said spindle, spring means and means for connecting said spring means to each of said arms, stops engaging said connecting means, for determining the neutral position of said spindle and means for adjusting said stops.

10. A door check having a. spindle, a fluid checking device connected thereto, arms on said spindle, a pair of springs oppositely tensioned, and flexible elements connecting one of said springs to one arm and the other of said springs to the other arin, said arms engaging said flexible element in one direction of rotation and being free of said flexible element in the other direction of rotation,

stops for said flexible elements determining the neutral position of said spindle and means for adjusting said stops.

11. A double acting door check comprising a spindle, having a pair of arms thereon, a fluid checking device connected to said arms, a releasable holding means located between said arms When said spindle is in neutral position, said holding means being capable of holding either of said arms when moved to engaging position therewith.

12. In a door check, a fluid checking device comprising a cylinder, a spindle, and a double headed piston in said cylinder, the heads of said piston having V grooves therein, the groove in one head cooperating with a port and by-pass in said cylinder, and the V- groove in the other head cooperating with a groove in said cylinder Wall.

13. In a door check a fluid checking device comprising a cylinder, a double headed piston therein and a spindle for said piston, a pinion and double rack connecting said piston and spindle, said cylinder having a by-pass and two controlled ports at one end, and a groove at its opposite end, the heads of said piston having V grooves therein cooperating with said ports and cylinder groove respectively, and the head of said piston which cooperates with said ports having a one-way check valve therethrough.

14. In a door check, a casing, a fluid checking device and spring means in said casing, a spindle projecting above the walls of said casing, a cover plate having a flanged opening therethrough closing said casing and surrounding said spind e, packing between said cover plate and casing and a connecting arm on said spindle being constructed to cooperate with said flange to seal said opening.

15. In a door check, a casing, a fluid checking device and spring means in said casing, a spindle projecting above the Walls of said casing, a cover plate having a flanged opening therethrough closing said casing and surrounding said spindle, and a connecting arm secured on the projecting end of said spindle constructed to cooperate With said flange to seal said opening.

16. A door check comprising a fluid checking device and a spring means, connected for operation by the movement of a door, said spring means heilig capable of being bodily reversed in position and constructed to exert a pull in one direction when in one position as applied to a door of one hand, and to eXert a pull in the opposite direction when in the reverse position as applied to a door of the opposite hand.

17. A door check comprising a spindle having a hub, and a fluid checking device connected for operation with said spindle, spring means and a flexible element connecting said hub and spring means, said hub, spring means and flexible element being bodily reversible in position whereby said spring means may resist rotation of said spindle in one direction When in one position and in the opposite direction when in reverse position.

1S. A door check including in its construction a casing having a pair of spring anchoring means thereon, a spindle having a hub, a reversible spring on said spindle having one end engaging one of said anchoring .means in one position and the other of said anchoring means in reverse position and its other end secured to said spindle to exert a torque thereto in opposite directions in reverse positions, said hub having a plurality of lugs thereon, and a flexible connecting element secured at one end to means operatively connected with a fluid checking device, and having a securing means at its opposite end adapted to selectively engage one of said lugs in a manner to Wrap said element about said hub in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction.

19. A door check comprising a casing, a spindle in said casing having a fluid checking device operatively connected thereto, spring means operatively connected to said spindle for rotating said spindle in one direction, a hub on said spindle and a socketed spring on said casing, and means selectively positioned in one of a plurality of receiving means in said hub for cooperation with said socketed spring to yieldingly lock said spindle in opposition to said spring after a selected predetermined angular movement.

Signed at Los Angeles, California, this twelfth day of November, 1927.

LEWIS C. NORTON. 

